York | |
---|---|
Born | 1770–75 |
Died | After 1815 |
Occupation(s) | Body servant (enslaved), explorer |
Employer | Enslaved by William Clark |
Known for | Participating in the Lewis and Clark Expedition |
Spouse | 1 |
Parent(s) | Old York, Rose |
Relatives | Juba (brother), Nancy (sister), Scipio (half-brother), Daphney (half-sister) |
Military career | |
Service/ | United States Army |
Years of service | 1803–1806 |
Rank | Sergeant (honorary posthumous – Presidential citation) |
York (1770–75 – after 1815)[1] was an American explorer[2] and historic figure, being the only African-American member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. He participated in the entire exploration and made significant contributions to its success.[3]: 302 [4]: 152 He was the first African American to cross the continent and see the Pacific.[4] He has become an American icon and several monuments depicting him have been erected honoring his legacy.[5][6][7]
York was born enslaved, the son of Old York and Rose, who had been enslaved by John Clark III, William Clark's father.[8] William inherited York from his father in 1799. York was a large man; his weight has been estimated as 200 pounds (91 kg).[9] He was about the same age as Clark, perhaps a few years older or younger, and naturally strong.[10][page needed][11] His skin was dark: he was "black as a bear", said one who knew him,[12] and his hair was short and curly.[13] Like most of the enslaved, York was illiterate, and information about him is scant.
York expected to be given his freedom after the successful expedition was over, in view of what he called his "immense services",[11] but Clark refused repeatedly and became angry when York would not go back willingly to his pre-expedition role of submissive body servant. He also expressed irritation at York's insistence on remaining in Louisville, where his wife and possibly children were. He whipped York and eventually sold him.[4][9]
Documentation concerning York is lacking for the years immediately following the expedition. About 20 years later, Clark told Washington Irving that he had freed York and set him up in business, giving him six horses and a large wagon to start a drayage business moving goods between Nashville and Richmond.[4] However, according to Clark as reported by Irving, York was lazy, would not get up in the morning, did not take good care of his horses, longed to return to slavery, and died of cholera. However, the credibility of this report is dubious.
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